THE Crime of a Countess OR The American Detective and the Russian Nihilist.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 374, 5 June 1889, Page 6

THE Crime of a Countess OR The American Detective and the Russian Nihilist.

By NICHOLAS CARTER, Thk Celebuatkd New Youk Dbtrotivk.

INTRODUCTION. I, Nick Caktek, eat in my library one afternoon, pretending to read, but in reality watching the frolic of my two boys with a young man who lay sprawled upon the floor. The babies enjoyed the sport, nnd fao did the young man. So did I. The older boy, Ralph, was just about to gouge the young man's eye out, after the approved fashion of babies when our pretty housemaid came in and announced that a gentloman, in a great hurry, was anxious to see me. I told her to bring the gentleman in. The young man rose to go away, but I joined my voice to the emphatic ones of tne babies, and he stayed. The gentleman came in. He glanped at the group on the floor and frowned a little. I would have been ofTonded at that only that I saw that the man was greatly worried and was hardly conscious of what, he was doing. Ho looked at me and spoke very quickly, with a very slight accent. ' Mr Nick Carter ?' ' Yes, sir.' 'I want your services as a detective.' 'Can't havo them, sir. I sever take anything now.' ' I will pay your own price.' ' I must refuse though you offer me the wealth of Rothschild.' ' But you are the only man who can help me.' ' Nonsonse ! I can recommend a man who can do as well as I — probably better than I could.' 'To be o e . any use to me the man must be an undoubted American, and yet speak the Russian language like a native.' ' My man fits the requirements exactly.' ' Where can I find him ?' • Wat,' I called out. The young man got up from the floor, and, holding both babies on his shoulders, came forward. ' Here he is,' said I to the gentleman. ' This boy ? You are disposed to make merry with me.' ' Speak to him in Russiati.' •But ' ' Please speak to him in Russian.' IDo you understand Russian V he inquired of Wat in that language. 1 Yes, sir ; I learned it in St. Petersburg.' ' You are a Russian.' ' No, sir, I am an American, and so was my great-great-grandfather.' 1 His Russian is wonderful,' the man turned to me, ' but he is too young for this duty.' •As you please, sir. He is not seeking your case. As for me, I would not go for any consideration.' I took up some papers from my desk in the manner of a man who would like to be left alone. ' Pardon me,' said the man, with an anxious air. • I came to you because I had been told that yon were the best detective in the world, and moreover, a man to be implicitly relied upon.' 'My dear sir, you have been misinformed. lam not the best in the world. This boy ' — he was playing on the floor again — ' is as good as I. Please believe I would not say so unless it was eo.' ' But he is so young,' said the man in a tone that was positively pleading. ' I beg your pardon, Mr Carter,' paid Wat, comins forward abruptly, ' but if you don't mind I will go into the reception room with this gentleman.' ' No," said I, * you remain here, and I will take the boys upstairs.' And so, to the gentleman's dismay, I went out with the boys perched on my shouldera. And, except to write what follows, I never had anything more to do with the case of the man who wanted a detective who was an American and yet could speak Russian like a native.

CHAPTER I. ' YOU AltE TJUC VERY MAX I AM LOOKING FOR.' ' Look at me sir, please.' It was Wat Donton who spoke. The gentleman did as requested with an air of astonishment that was well justified by the remarkable change of the ' boy ' into a man of decision. It was only a change in the air, manner and tone of voice, but it made all the difference. ' You see,' said Wat, 'lam a boy only in appearance. lam only twenty -five years old.' ' And you would like,' asked the gentleman, doubtfully, 'co take this case? Do you think you could do it justice.' ' Excuse me, sir ; I do not ask for the case at all.' 'Very well, then,' exclaimed the gentleman, impatiently. ' You wish me to beg you to take the case ?' ' Wrong again,' answered Wat, placidly, 1 though to be sure I will not take the case unless you strongly desire me to do so and are convinced that I am the best person you could get.' < - ' At least you will undertake to convince me of that.' ' With pleasure. You are willing to open your case to me, I presumo ?' 'Certainly. What I know of ib myself.' ' A moment first. Have you betrayed to me anything of your case ?' ' Certainly not.' ' Think a moment.' ' There is no need to think.' * Very well, then ; I say you have already told me the bulk of your story.' * Oh, but this is folly, child's play. ' But if I tell you what you say you have not told me, what then ?' 1 Then I would say Mr ?' c Wat Den ton. 5 ' Mr Denton, tht\b you are the very man I am looking for.' ' And you would beg me to take your case ?' ' I would beg, even beseech you,' said the man, earnestly, ' to take the case.' 'You are a Russian born, but exiled from your country for your liberal opinions.' ' You know me then ?' ' Never saw or heard of you betore. ' ' Then it is a good guess.' * That is it. A good guess.' And Wat smiled in his own frank, boyish way. ' Well, go on.' ' You have some near relative, or friend, or even a son,' — Wat watched the man's face narrowly — • yes, yo have a son m Russia now.'

•Goon.' He triod to look indifferent, but failed signally. ' Your son is in trouble over there, and has sent you word of the fact.' • Well, well V 4 Oh, I stop there, for, unless I am wrong, you do not know much more yourself.' The man looked suspiciously at Wat, and then said, with troubled hesitation : ' I do not understand.' • You fear that you are the victim of some trick. Not nt all, sir.' 'But how ' 4 How have I obtained my knowledge ? Merely by using my own judgment.' • I am st.Hl at a loss.' ' And yet it is so simple.' • Perhaps to you.' 1 And to you when I tell you. I know you for a Russian tho moment you came into tho room.' • Yes, 1 can believe that.' • And from your bearing I know you were a nobleman,' • Ah !' • A nobleman who wants a detective who is an undoubted American, and who yet speaks Russian liko a native, naturally wants him to go to Russia.' 4 Yes, yes ; I see.' 4 And if he wants somebody olso to go, when it is evident that ho is vitally interosled himself, it is most probably because ho is not allowed for political reasons to go himself.' I ' You take me for a nihilist, perhaps ?' •No indeed, .only a liberal.' • You need make no further explanation. I heartily apologise for anything I may have said in seeminsr disparagement of you.' '■ ' " * I ' 'No need of an' apology, my detu' sir. . ,Wh,y, my seeming youth is one of my strongest points. If my clients do not trust me, my game does not fear me.' \ t 4 And you will take my case V 4 If you will be satisfied to have me do so, and if I find upon investigation that it will be worth my while. 1 'I will be as liberal as you can wish.' 4 Oh, I don't despise the compensation, but I firafc want to see if it is a matter of sufficient importance to justify me in wasting 1 any time on it.' 4 Shall I tell you all I know ?' 4 If you please.' • I am, in fact, as you have suspoctod, a nobleman — the Count Ivan Horwit/..' 4 Convicted of having Liberal books in his possession, and accused of plotting against the Czar.' ' You remember my case, then ? And yet it was more years ago than you can remember by any possibility.' 1 1 heard it talked of. That is all.' 4 Well, I left Russia to escape certain exilo to Siberia. My wife joined me here, and twenty-one years ago a son was born to us. I was then an American citizen, and so he was one by right of birth.' 4 Has he papeis to establish that fact?' 4 He has.' 4He went to Russia one year ago to obtain the hand of the Countess AlzamoiT. The two were betrothed as infants by her father and me when he was on a visit to this country at that time.' ' And how did the two principals take to jhe idea?' ' They have made no objection. Indeed, there was no thought of compulsion anyhow. If they had objected, the betrothal would have been cancelled at once.' 'He went over there, then, to become acquainted with his betrothed ?' ' Yes, and there seemed from the first a strong mutual liking.' 4 Well ?' 4Of course I have had all along a fear that tne boy would in some way be injuied by his father's past record.' 4 Even though he was a native-born American ?' 'Yes, even so. You know what a despotic government it is.' 4 Ye 3 ; but if he is an American, he is safe as long as he behaves himself." 4 Read this cablegram.' He handed one to Wat. It read : 4 Your son Ivan arrested for murder. He is not guilty.' 'It is not signed,' Avas Wat's first comment. 'No.' 4 That 1 do not like.' ' And yet to sign it might easily, in that wretched country, have been only to draw down suspicion on the signer.' 4 But you must know that this nevor left Russia without the permission of the police.' ' I had not thought of that. Then you think it is only a plan to get me to Russia ?' 4 Oh, no. I only think that the police know who sent this telecram, and that, for reasons of their own, they were willing to havo it sent.' 4 1 have believed that the Countess AlzamofFsenb it.' ' The most natural supposition.' ' But can you understand why I want a detective to help me ?' 1 Your fear your son is the victim of some Russian plot.' 4 Precisely.' * And you want his innocence established so that the United States authorities may be able to take up his case and push it vigorously.' * Yes, yes. And will you take up the case ? Do not refuse,' 4 1 will take it. Do you go at once and have the papers necessary to prove the citizenship of your son made out. , Also, give me something to show him that' l am your agent. The steamer sails the day after to-morrow. I will call at your house tomorrow to ask any further questions, and to get the paper.-.'

CHAPTER 11. y DO YOU NOT SKK THAT HE SACKiriCED HIM- i B ELI' KOlt HER ?' 4 Is the Coun tes& AlzamofF in ?' ' Who shall I say wishes to see her ?' 1 A frienH of Ivan Horwifr/.' It was Wat Denton speaking to a foot-; man in the vestibule of a princely residence f in St. Petersburg. t The name of Ivan Horwifcz produced an immediate effect. Wat was ushered into a luxuriously furnished reception - room, and there respectfully asked to wait. lie had not been there many minutes when the rustling of a woman's robes and the light quick footfall of hurrying steps told him that somebody was coming. A moment later a strikingly beautiful woman of the blonde, Russian type swept into the room. To Wat, who studied her closely, her beauty was not her only remarkable feature. Ho was equally struck by her resolute mouth and her cold blue eyes. ' You wished to see me, sir V The inquiry was made politely, but in her manner was a singular blending of caution and eagerness, Wat's own manner had never seemed more open or boyishly frank. ' Yes, madam,' he answered in good Russian, but with a strong accent. ' Please bo seated. You sent word that you were a friend of Ivan Horwitz.' Ib was plain in Wat's acuto eyes that tho countess, under a calm extorior, was hiding a feverish anxiety. • 1 meant the elder Ivan.' She started perceptibly and repeated wondoringly :

•The older Ivan?' • Yes ; ho sent mo here from America in response to a telegram you sont.' • I—l—I — I— I — oh, yes. About his son.' • Ah,' thought Wab, ' she did not send or know anything about the telegram. And yot she protonds to. My lady, you will boar watching.' And the smilo on his handsome young face was more than ever winning. 4 Yes, about hia son,' he answered. ' Then you come from America ?' 'Yea, madam. And here is my lotter ot introduction to you from Mr Horwitz.' She read the letter eagerly, and then glanced curiously at Wat. ' 1 know what you are thinking,' he said, laughingly. ♦ You are saying to yourself that I am very young to be intrusted with such an important missior.' ' Yes, you are young, she said, seriously, and half to herself, 'to be sent on an errand of so much danger.' 'It must seem so to you, I 'know,' ho answered with a boyish earnestnese, * but I am hero and will do my utmost' to aid Ivan Rorwitz. Plea=o trust mo, and at least tell me what has happened.' ' What has happened ?' Sho passed her small white hand over her brow, and seemed to be having an internal conflict. • 1 mean how he was arrested and why ho was suspectod of murder.' 'Hois as innocent as— as you.' ' So the telegram said. 1 ' The tologram suid so. Yu&, yes, of course it did.' t , Wat noted a glenm ,of passionate ferocity darb from the cold blue of her eyes. This beautiful countess cortainly had a mystory, ho told himself. • Whom is he, accused of killing?' ,' The- Count BazurofF. But I will tbll you all 1 know, and perhaps you can secure his release thrpu^h the United States authorities.' •• !l Sho questioned Wab eagerly with her eyes. 4 I can at loasb see that he has a lair trial.' '• t 4 (Jan you do that ? Then he will be paved, do not know whoio he is now.' ' 1 can find that out. Only lot mo know the particulars. 1 Sho fixed hor eyes soarchingly on him and asked, abruptly : ' You know we were to bo maiuiod?' ' Yes.' i ' Did you ever See him ?' ! •No.' , I ' Handsome as a god he was ' . The words came from her lips like a cry of passionato love. 1 Then you loved him.' ' Loved him ? Before every earthly thing.' For a moment the woman was aglow with the passion of her love. Then she suddenly changed, and a gleam of hatred shot out of her eyos as, she said : 4 But this has nothing to do with the murder.' 'I beg your pardon,' said Wat; 'I did not mean to be impertinent.' But he had meant to find out whether sho loved Ivan or not. And he was satisfied that she did. 4lt is all right,' she answered, coldly. ' I will try to toll you just as 1 was told it happened.' She prcseed her two hands to her head for a momont, and then wont on plowly, as if she would weigh the meaning of each word before she uttered it. 4 Ivan and I were to be married shortly, for ho loved me as —as 1 loved him.' ' His father told toe there was no thought ot compulsion.' 4 What'?' Her eyes darted fire. ' Hi 3 father told me that though you two had been betrothod in infancy there was nevertheless no intention to bring about a marriage distasteful to either of you.' 4 The marriage was> not distasteful. He was — he had — do not interrupt me !' The countess looked as if she would like j to annihi)ato Wat. Ho looked at her with innocont, wondering eyes. 4 There was a Polish woman — ' 4 All !' muttered Wat, under his breath. 1 There mas a woman, thon ?' 4 The Countess Radolin ski,' went on the countess, ' who by every wile in the possession of an unscrupulous woman, tried to win his love from me. But he always loved me. ' The last words came in a fierce burst, more, as it seomed to Wat, like a cry wiung from her by despa'r. She got up from her chair, and thon, as if she could not control herself any lopgor, and mudb vent her wrath on somebody, turned on Wat, and cried : 4 Why don't you say something ? Why do you sit there with that foolish grin "on your baby face? Why do I tell you these things to have you laugh at them ?' Wat shrank back with a scared look on his face, and stammered out : 'Indeed, madam, you are mistaken. I would not laugh for the World. To me,' young as I am, lovo is a most sacred passion. Such a woman as you describe is to me a wretch.' ' Forgive my violence,' said the countess, who had listened without seeming to hoar what Wat vsaid. • 1 am a Russian, you know.' , !i ,; ' Please do nob speak of it. and beltoVo that, I listen most respoctfully.' With a strong elfort at control, the couute&s resumed hex; seat and went on : 'This woman had a half-brother, the Count BazarofF, in fact, who stood between her and their father's estate.' ' Is he a Pole, too ?' ' No. Her mother was a Pole. His was a Russian. Their father was a Russian. One day ahe enticed Ivan to her house. While ho was there the Count Bazaroff j came in, and had not been there long when , he fell on the floor dead — poisoned.' I 4 Poisoned ?' ; ' Ivan was arrested as the murderer, i The woman is at large still. But she is I under surveillance.' ! There was unspeakable ferocity in the -tone in which she uttered the la6b word?. ' But it peemts to me,' Wat, ' that | the woman should have -been arrested and Ivan set free, unlo&s it ceuld be shown that ho had somo motive in having the man dead.' 4 It is said,' answered the countess, in a low voice, 4 that Ivan had nihilistic docu monts on his perton when arrested, and that in ono of them the death of the Count Bazaroffwas marked out.' 4 That is bad.' 4 Bad ! Do you uob eeo that the papers belonged to the Polish woman, and that he took thorn from her to save hor ? Do you ( not see that he sacrificed himself for her beeauso ho lo — because he— he is so chivalrous that he would nob let any woman suffer if he could prevent it ?' 4 Ami do you not know where he is ?' ♦No.' ' Nor anything more about it ?' 'No, I tell you. I only know what; I have told you.' 4 Pardon mo for intruding on you, bub I did nob know whore else to go.' ' It was right to come to me.' Wat nrose from the chair and bowed himself out without a word of protest from the countesp, who sat absorbed in her own thoughts. And painful thoughts they must have i been, from, the expression of her face.

CHAPTER 111. THE CROSSING OF SWORDS. As Wat started down the steps he saw a carriage drive up to b,ho door and stop. He went down more slowly, that he might see who the visitor was. A man, tall, powerfully built, and haughty in hie bearing, alighted from the carriage. He brushed by Wat with a glanoe at once suspicious and supercilious, and walked up the steps with an assured air. Wat walked loitoringly up the street until the visitor had gone into the house, and ' then retraced his steps, and, with a hurried, anxious air, asked the coachman : 4 Is this theequipage of the Prince Prandi--/off?' ' No, it is that of the Count Chernigoff. lf Thank jou; I was sent to find the prince.' ' I may have more to do with v° u » m Y Lord ChernigofF,'-bhoughfc Wat, us he walked to mako somo inquiiies about the Countess Radolinski. ' ' But the people of Russia liavo.'loarnoft by a sad experience not to taik too freely, 'and so it befell that when evening came Wab , knew very little more, than ho had learned' by tho exercise of. his eyes and wit<<. One of the things he hud learned in this way was that tho countess's houso was watched by no le*B than cix spies. Another waB that somo one in the house was in constant communication with tho spies out&ido by means of a Bet of very simple signals. Wat's conclusion was : ' Thov aro keeping the countess for a decoy duck.' The tact that there was clanger in visiting the countess did not, however, deter Wat from going that evening to visit her. He wiehed to talk with her, and so he went. For good reasons of his own, he made no attempt to disguise him?elf, but in his own proper' person walked carelessly up the stairs of the'low stoop. I And when he saw that one of his spies was making strenuous efforts to see his (ace he most accommodatingly turned it full towards him. A gas-lamp shone full on his smiling, boyish countenance, and the spy looked and turned away with a shrug of his shoulders. • A boy like mo would never be at any mischief, eh, old man V chuckled Wat, under his breath. The door was opened by a footman. ' I would like to see tho Countess Radolinski.' ' Not at home to anybody, sir.' ' Say a gentleman from America would likn to, see her.' The footman ushered him into a reception room and left him. 'If she wrote that telegram, as I now suspect, the message will bring her,' was vVat's thought. ' Tho countess is not very well ; will you kindly stop upstairs ?' The footman scanned Wat so curiously that the latter mentally pub him down as one who would bear watching. He followed him to a dainty little parlour upstairs. When the servant was gone, an inner door opened and a woman of bewildering beauty entered, She was a perfect contrast to the Russian countess. She was of medium height, with a rounded form, and lissom, graceful figure. Her hair was a golden brown, her eyes hazel, her glance at once confiding and fearful, and her red lips, formed by nature for smiles, " were now trembling on the verge of a sob. In a tone of manly tenderness, which would have surprised the Russian countess, Wat spoke to the lady. ' Have I the honour to speak to the Countess Radolineki?' ' Yos, sir. You said you were from America. Oh, sir, tell me ' She stopped and looked at Wab with pitiful earnestness. ' You would ask if I c:me from the father of Ivan Hortwitz V 1 Yes.' 'I do; and I come to savo the young man from tho consequence of the rash act.' • Oh, sir,' she- cried, with indignant pride, Iheis as innocent as lor you. lie i 3 the victim of — of a mistake.' ' What were you going to say instead of a mistake ?' 'It does not matter,' she answered, with a frightened glance at him, 'Madam, 1 said Wat, kindly, 'I am a detective, and it is my business to know the character by the face. When I saw you I iold myself thao you were a good, true woman. Now look at me and judge me as favourably.' 1 Ah, sir, if I only know whom to trust.' • ' You must trust, somebody, or your present tro ib'e will be ten times worse.' ' Ifc can hardly be worse.' ' You can share the fate of Ivan.' ' If they would cmly let me do that !' ' They may put you in a separate prison.' 'That is all I fear.' ' Come, you must trust me. Read this letter from Ivan's father.' 'Itis to the Countess Alzamoff. I must nob read ifc.' ' ' It is to her, it is true ; and yet it was intended for the person who sent the telegram to Ivan's' father.' The little countess clasped her hands hard together, and looked ab Wab with a terror that went to his heart. . ' Road the letter. Believe me, you have the right,' he said, kindly. She took the lotter again and read it through. ' Forgive my doubt,' e,he half-sobbed, ' Wufe if you could know all I have gone through — what I have every day to endure, you ' Wat put his finger warningly to his lips, and to the surprise and even alarm of the countess stole toward the other side of the room, and all tho time balking as if he had interrupted her. When he reached the door opening into the ante-chamber, he wrenched ib suddenly open. The footman who had admitted him staggered over tho threshold in a manner that showed he had been making observations at tho keyhole. With a dexterity and strength thab would have astonished "the man if he had nob already been boo surprised to be capable of any more of bhab feeling, Wab .whirled him , over on bhe floor, stuffed his handkerchief in his mouth, and bound his arms and legs. , , ' You see, madam,' said Wat, 'I do know something of what you haye 1 been subjected to.' ' I never suspected him,' cried the poor countess, wringing her pretty hands. ' Poor little lady ! Bub never mind. Tell me, do you trust me yet ?' ' Yes, yes. What else can Ido V ' I see you haven't; bhe fullesb confidence in me, but never mind, if you will only tell i me all you know about the affair of Ivan.' • 1 will, and please forgive me if I seem ungracious. Indeed, I don'b mean to be.' Wat carried the man into the inner room, and then returning, said : ' Now we may talk for a while in eafety from listeners. Please answer me quickly, for wo may be interrupted afc any time.

Besides, I do- not know when I shall see you again.' 1 I will do as you bid me, and may you be dealb with as you deal with me, a friendless' woman. ' • You say Ivan is guiltless of the death of your brother ?' • Yes.' ! • Who is guilty ?' j ' I do not know.' 1 Whom do you suspect ?' ' Nobody.' i ' Were you on good terms with your brother ?' 4 We were very tond of each other.' ' Were ho and Ivan good friends ?' A moment of hesitation, and then : 'Ivan would have been on pood termß with him, but he did not like Ivan.' • Why ?' The countes3 buried her face in her hands, and, after a silent struggle, faltered : 'My brother loved the Countess 'Alzanioff.' 1 And tho countess ?' 'Loved Ivan.' A shudder and a sob. 4 And Ivan V 4 Oh, he hated, loathed her.' Tho soft hazel eyes flashed firo now. ' But they were betrothed.' ' Yes, but when ho came to know her ! Oh, sir, she is not a woman. She is a wild bensc !' • Oh, fie ! a woman's and a rival's judgment-.' 'We are not rivals !' Again tho hazel eyoe flashed. • And the judgment is Ivan's own.' ' You are suie — forgive the question — that Ivan did not love the countess. 'He despised her.' ' He may have deceived you.' • ' Ivan deceive ? You do not know him.' Scorn, pride, adoration, were all mingled in the tone of the countess. 'But the Countess Alzamoff certainly loves him.' 'As a tiger loves blood. Oh, do not shake your head at that. I tell you she is not a woman. She would do anything to have him.' ' But how - would the death of your brother help her to get your lover ?' 'Ah, if I had been tho only one suspected, how then ?' ' Then do you suspect that she poisoned him to get you in trouble ?' ' Oh, what have I said? It is Krong to [ entrap me so ! And I promised not to say a word of these suspicions.' ' Promised whom ?' ♦Ivan.' ' Thon he, too, Fuepects her V ' You must not ask me.' • But my poor little lady, I am working for Ivan and for you.' ' You say so, you say so.' 'Ah, madam, you are unjust to me, who risks his life and liberty to serve you.' ' What shall Ido ? What shall Ido ?' 'Trust me, countess. Before Heaven, I have but one object in view, the good of Ivan. Why should you doubt me? Look at me. Do I look like a villain ?' ' But you frighten me even when I feel that 1 do trust you.' ' But why ?' 'You look like a boy, almost a child, and you have the cunning of the evil one himself.' ' That cunning is all devoted to Ivan Horwitz and yourself, if you will permit it. And if you do not accept my help, what can you do ? Who will help you ?' ' Your name, please ?' •Wat Don ton. 1 ' Wat Denton, Vera Radolinski trusts you. Here is my hand. Ivan says it is the American custom.' And the beautiful, distracted creature held out her dainty little hand with the air of a queen who has resolved and will not henceforth waver. Wat took it, and held it as he would a child's, for a moment. ' Thank you. Did Ivan suspect the countess ?' ' Yes ! but listen ! Oh, it is horrible ! When my brother died he was downstairs in the recoption-room.' * Where I waited. Yes.' ' Ivan and I were talking with him when he felt the spasms of pain. "I am dying !" he cried, and fell writhing on tho floor.' She pressed her hands to her eyos,, as if to shut out the sight. 'Suddenly he gasped, •«! came from Sofia. She has poisoned me. She is a nihilist. I told her I knew it. Sho bade me come straight here from her. She wished me to die here. She would pet you, my sister, out of the way, because she hopes then to win back Ivan. Oh, the fiond !" and then he was dead.' ' Horrible ! and then ?' 'Oh, then I fainted.' • And that was all ?' 'No, no. If it only had been! Then Ivan called my maid, and she came and opened my gown at the throat, while Ivan went to my brother's side to see if he was dead. But just at that moment the police forced their way into the house, and Ivan, at sight of them, turned to me to take me away.' l ' You say the police forced their way in ?' * Yes : listen. When Ivan turned to me, he saw a paper lying by tnyeide, which he mechanically picked up.' * Had you recovered your senses ?' * Enough to see what was going on.' «Yos.' Well?' 1 The police came right into the room, and on seeing my brother, cried out : " Too labe to save him, but the assassin is here !" and they took hold of Ivan.' ' Did he resist ?' ' No. Why should he ? But tho leader of the police at once took from Ivan's hand the paper which he had found bv my side. " Ah," he exclaimed, " what is this ?" He examined the paper and paid it was a nihilistic list of victims, with the name of my brother marked.' ' Did you see the paper ?' ' Only tho outside, as the officer held it.' ' Did you recognise it as anything that had belonged to you ?' ♦ No. lam sure I had not seen the paper before.' ' How do you account for having it so near to you ?* ' I suspected my maid.' ' Where is she ?' ' She denied everything, but I sent her away.* ' But about your promise to Ivan ?' 'Oh, I wanted to tell the police that the paper they had found in Ivan's-Jhand-had" been found near mo, but he stopped me and whispei'cd that I was to say nothing about either it or Sofia's part in the matter.' ♦ Sofia is the Countess Alzamoff?' •Yes.' ■ • Why did he want the counte3s protected ?' •I don't know.' 'And do you know where they took Ivan ?' 'No.' ' Madam, madam !' | A middlo-aged Polish woman burst into the room, and started back at the sight of Wat. ' What is it ?' demanded the countess, a slight pallor driving the colour out of her cheek. ' The Countess Alzamoff.' ' What about her ?' ' She is in the reception-room.' 'Here? In my house? How dare sheWhy was she admitted V

llt could not* be helped. I saw it myself. She pushed past the footman and asked for you.' ' I will not gee her. Bid her leave my house. Bub, no, I will see her. She shall see that Vera Radolinaki is worthy Ivan Horwitz. Will you wait for me here, sir V * No,' answered Wat, who had been an interested spectator of the scene ; 'if you will allow me I will go downstairs and be an unseen listener to your conversation, if such a thing be possible.' •As you please, sir ; you can conceal yourself behind the curtains of the draw* ing-room door.' Erect as a queen, the hazel eyes shining and the colour on the cheeks and lips a vivid red, the countess went down to meet her mortal enemy face to face. Wat plipped over the balusters and stole around into tho drawing-room, so that he could see tho two women when they first met. There was a wicked smile of triumph on tho face of the Countess Alzaaioff as sho turned to the door and saw the woman who had stolen her lover from her. 'I am glad to see you, Vera,' she said, moekmgly. 1 And I,' answered the little countess haughtily and coldly, * have come to you to tell you that I do not wish you to cross the threshold of my house again.' • Xs it possible that it is the gentle and timid Vera who speaks co severely ?' 4 It is the outraged woman, the bereaved sister who speaks.' A start, a flush, and a glance of hatred told Wat that the Countess Alzamoff compi ohonded the allusion to BazarofFs death. 'Ah !' ehe exclaimed, with a vindictive flash of her blue eyes, * your regret comes too labe. It should have come bofore you poisoned him.' • I ? You vile woman !' ' And then, in your mad jealousy, you tried to make the man you pretended to love seem the culprit.' ' Ivan loves me, and I love him.' I Nothiner could have been more maddening to Sofia than the calm, confident tone of Veras assertion of Ivan's love for her. ' Loves you ? Ah, you shall see 'vhom he loves. How will it be when he knows that you have been false to him? When he knows that it was through you that he wa« found by the police in such a compromising sitution ?' * He will never believe any such calumnies of me.' ' Will he nob ? Ah, but he will. Do you know what is takiug place now 1 At this very moment that we tolk? He is being liberated.' * I cannot take the word cf a murderess, but T pray God It may be true.' 1 Take care, take c.re ! ' The Countess Alzamoff sprang toward her succesetul rival with such a ferocious gleam in her blue eyes that Wat could not help likening her, as Vera had done, to a wild beast. But Vera, far from, being intimidated, merely held out her iittle hand scornfully, and said : 4lt is you, Sofia Alzamoff, who should have a care. lamon my guard.' 1 Little hypocrite ! But my revenge is near at hand. Do you know that you will never again see your Ivan 2 Do you know that as he is releasftd you will be imprisoned ? Then will be my turn. You will be out of the way and he will be mine, mme — do you hear ? Ah, do you hear that ? The police are coming to take you. And Ivan is free !' There was so little reasoii ro doubt what the countess said, that Wat accepted it as true, and, coming to a- swift conclusion, acted quickly. With a rapid movement he closed the sliding doors leading to the drawing-room, and locked them. Then lie ran to the other door of the re-ception-room and reached it just in time to meet the Countess Alzamoff hurrying out.' With very little ceremony, and disregarding her angry cries, he thrust her back and held her, while Vera, in answer to his command, ran out. Then he locked Sofia in the room and turned to Vera. • You must escape. Have you any place in this city where you can hide ?' 'At fche house of my nurse's cousin, a poor Polish woman, but devoted to my family. ' 1 The address V 'Ib Is a little house three doors from the corner of Nova-sbreeb,on a little alley called the Polish Court.' •I . know the place. Take the countess's cloak. ' • I ujll nob touch it.' ' You will do as I say, for I am doing for you in the place of Ivan.' The little countess looked in wonderment at the man ordering her peremptorily, and then without a word, did as he bade her. There was a loud summons at the door. Already there had been confusion down stairs. Wab had little doubt that the noise to which the Countess Alzamoff had called attention had really been made by the police entering the lower door. If so, they were virtually surrounded. The noise at the main door increased, and at the same time three "policemen entered the hall from below. •We are lost !' murmured Vera. \Keep close to my side,' whispered Wat. At that instanbthethree policemen dashed into the drawing-room. ' Hore she is !' exclaimed one of the men. • Ah, good sir,' pleaded Wat, in the most boyish accents of terror, 'do nob take her to prison. Indeed she ia not guilty of any wrong.' ■ The men laughed at the boy's anguish. The boy laughed too, only it could nob he seen, for it was all inside. The knocking at tho main door became more furious. • Our comrades are . becoming impatient,' said one of the men, laughing. *I will let them in.' He went to the door and was trying to undo the fastenings, when Wat, seeing his opportunity, sprantj at the two men and with a right and left felled them senseless. Before he could serve the remaining man with the same sauce, he had turned and drawn his sword. Wat drew the sword of one of the men on the floor. ' Ah,' exclaimed the man, with a grim air, 'you would play tricks on us, would you, eh? 1 4 1 would try,' answered Wat, with an assumption of modesty. The next instant the swords were crossed. , - „ ( To be continued. )

Says an English cycling writer :— One of the cleverest yet most simple dodges I ever saw is that invented by Mr A. Markham for "locking" safety bicycles. His new " Diamonds are provided with a long seat pin, which, when the set screw is released, falls on the tyre of the hind wheel. You have only to unloosen this when you atop, let it fall, tighten it up again, and the. machine can only be carried away. Bub you will say it is easy to unfasten the nut. True, if you know the dodge ; bub then isn't it easy, if you know how to do it, with a couple of stones to smash any cycle lock ?